Hi Everyone,

I birded Southwest Area Park today, first time out in a while. I birded the whole park, and there were a good number of species recorded.

The highlights were:

A least four Vesper Sparrows. 2 in the old gravel lot before the ball fields, foraging in between the grassy parking dividers; One in Left Field of the far ball field; On the way back to the car there was one high in a tree, but I'm not sure if it was one that was feeding in the lot. The fourth was previously reported near the boat launch.

A Marsh Wren was vigorously singing from the phragmite along the street that connects the entrance road and the boat launch road.

Also of note was a brief look and listen to the Orange-crowned Warbler noted by Bill earlier, many Field Sparrows as well, and two Pheasants-one calling near the rail track left of the park entrance and one calling along the path behind the model air field.

Several hyperactive gnatcatchers were fun to watch as well.

All-in-all a fun hike around the park.

I loaded a few photos of one of the Vespers (all birds were photographed but the photos weren't of enough quality to post).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thrasher72/

Jon Corcoran
Catonsville, MD






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